On Wednesday 05 January 2005 4:58 pm, Ashley T. Howes, Ph.D. wrote:

After finishing O'Reilly's Linux Server Hacks book (which is part of the ALUG library), I have written a small review:

http://www.alug.org.uk/contrib/?Read%20LSH%20Review

I recommend anyone who has borrowed a book from the library in the past to write a review. After talking to Adam about the library a few weeks ago, he informed me that this is one of the reasons that O'Reilly supplied the books to us to begin with. So, write your reviews and we may get more books :)

One of the features of the (hopefully soon to be deployed) ALUG library online is that it is possible to post reviews to a book.

I personally feel that once online, this will be the best place to post future reviews as it makes it convenient for potential borrowers to browse comments from others when considering borrowing a book and also provides an average rating system.

I will happily replicate any reviews (that I am made aware of) by ALUG members to the new system, with their permission, once it comes online and I take over running the Library.

Disadvantages of doing this include the fact that this effectively excludes non ALUG members (or non Library members) from reading said reviews, also the open review system may direct discussion of books away from the ALUG list (as you could effectively review other peoples reviews by posting an alternate opinion under their review) which is the last thing I would want to happen.

I have an answer to the first of those problems however, see my next post.

Wayne